GOP candidate Chris Christie discloses 2008 earnings

Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie today released more information about his personal finances and urged his opponents to do the same.

Christie's campaign said he and his wife earned about $448,720 in 2008, up from about $373,000 the year before. They paid about $118,840 in federal income tax and another $24,299 to the state of New Jersey.Campaign manager Bill Stepien released the information today at the request of The Star-Ledger.

Christie filed for an extension, giving him until later this year to file his 2008 tax returns. Gov. Jon Corzine, who also filed for an extension, provided his earnings information on Wednesday at the request of the newspaper, reporting an adjusted gross income of minus $2.755 million for 2008.

But Steve Lonegan, Christie's leading opponent in the Republican primary, has refused to disclose his tax returns, saying he has not done so in past campaigns and he does not think it has any bearing on the race for governor. A third GOP candidate, Morris County Assemblyman Rick Merkt, released his returns from 2003-2008.

Christie today posted a copy of his public financial disclosure statement on his campaign website and touted his openness about his finances.

"Whether it's disclosing one's tax returns or making one's disclosure statements available online, I urge all other candidates to join me in the same commitment to greater transparency," he said. "If we're ever going to reduce the cynicism people rightfully have toward their government, it will start with candidates holding themselves to a higher standard by being honest with the people they hope to represent."

Christie previously provided The Star-Ledger with copies of his tax returns from 2003-2007, and estimated the net worth of he and his wife at $3.8 million. The newspaper reviewed those returns -- and the federal financial disclosure reports Christie filed for the years he was U.S. Attorney -- to describe his finances, including his income, how much he paid in taxes, and his range of assets and investments.

Christie today criticized the financial disclosure reports required of statewide candidates, saying they should match the federal reports by requiring more detailed information. The state reports are not as precise with the range and value of investments.